Journal of Physical Sciences, Vol.

11, 2007, 124-132

Current Conveyor Simulation Circuits Using Operational

Amplifiers
S. Rana* and K. Pal**
*D.A.V. Centenary Public School, Hardwar, Uttranchal, India.
Email : seema.rana@gmail.com.
** Department of Earthquake Engineering, IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, India.
Email : kiratfeq@iitr.ernet.in.

Received April 3, 2007 ; accepted August 10, 2007

ABSTRACT
In this paper one circuit simulating a second generation current
conveyor (CCII) is reported. The circuit uses four operational amplifier
and gives low tracking error. This circuit realises both positive and
negative polarity second generation current conveyor. Based on this
circuit a simulation circuit for dual output current conveyor (DOCCII)
is also described. Finally a generalized CCII circuit is proposed which
by control of logic 0 or 1 at a control terminal of analog multiplexer
gives CCII+ or CCII- simulation. These simulations are used in
verifying the CCII and DOCCII based circuits experimentally, and are
economical.

1. Introduction
The second generation current conveyor CCII introduced by Sedra and Smith [1]
is widely used in realisation of filters and oscillators [2-7]. It is available with both
polarity as CCII+ and CCII-. By connecting CCII+ and CCII- together a dual output CCII
(DOCCII) is formed which has got its importance in current mode filter realisations [89]. To experimentally test the circuit based on these elements several discrete or spice
models are available in literature [10-16]. In this work two circuits of simulating CCII
and DOCCII are given which purely uses IC741 operational amplifier, available at very
low cost. These simulations are most attractive in research laboratory to practically test
the performance of CCII and DOCCII based realizations.

2. Circuit Description
The first proposed circuit is shown in fig.1. This circuit has been obtained by
modifying the circuit of Huertas [10] shown in fig.2
124

Current Conveyor Simulation Circuits Using Operational Amplifiers

y
Vi

V1

125

R1

R1

OA
R
R

OA

V2

R1

OA

OA
R

Fig.1 A modified configuration of second generation current conveyor [CCII]

y
Vi

R1

V1

R1

OA

V3
R

Vz

OA

R1

Ix

V4

V2

Fig. 2.Circuit reported by Huertas [10]

R1

V5

Iz

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S. Rana and K. Pal

The characteristics of second generation current conveyor (CCII) for which this circuit is
proposed is as follows:
CCII (+):
iy = 0,
vx = vy,
iz = ix
CCII (-):
iy = 0,
vx = vy,
iz = -ix
symbolic representations of CCII (+) and CCII (-) are given in fig. 3.

y
CCII(+)

x
(a)
y
CCII(-)

x
(b)
Fig.3 : Symbolic representations of CCII (+) and CCII (-)[ a & b ]

For a non ideal CCII:

iy = 0,
vx = vy(1+1),
iz = ix(1+2)
where 1 and 2 are non idealities

2.1 Analysis
In this circuit y terminal is the non inverting terminal of operational amplifier
(OA 1), which has high input impedance, thus iy = 0,

Current Conveyor Simulation Circuits Using Operational Amplifiers

127

Also in an operational amplifier inverting terminal follows the non inverting

terminal, therefore vx = vy.
To prove third condition iz = ix for CCII (+) connect V1 to A and V2 to B. Assume
Ix current flows through x terminal towards ground.
V1 V2
R
V1 V 3 V 3 V 5
i1 =
=
R1
R1

(1)

ix =

Now

(2)

(3)
which gives
V5 = 2V3 V1
Similarly
Vz = 2V4 V2
(4)
as inverting terminal voltage of an operational amplifier is equal to non inverting terminal
voltage
V4 = V3
and eqn. (3) and (4) gives
V5 - Vz = V1 V2
V5 V z V1 V2
=
R
R

or

or
- iz = ix
Hence this circuit simulates a CCII (-).
Since no current is drawn by non inverting terminals of operational amplifiers in
unity gain ,ix and iz flows through respective resistance R only, thus tracking error is
practically zero. In case of circuit of Huertas [10] it is not zero. Also the circuit of
Huertas uses high valued resistances for R1, the present circuit can use low value and it
can be equal to R also. Thus all six resistances of equal values makes circuit realisation
simple.
By connecting V1 to B and V2 to A, a CCII (-) is realised.
The another active element dual output current conveyor (DOCCII) is also used
in the realisation of filters etc. Based on the circuit of fig.1 one can easily realise a circuit
simulating DOCCII as shown in fig.5. It uses six operational amplifiers and has the
following terminal properties
iy = 0,
vx = vy,
iz = ix

iz = x

This circuit also offers low tracking error.

DOCCII
z

x
Fig.4 : Symbolic representations of DOCCII

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S. Rana and K. Pal

R1

R1

OA
R

OA

R1
x

R1

OA

OA

R1

R1

R
OA

R1

R1

OA

Fig.5 : A practical DOCCII implementation circuit.

Finally a generalised current conveyor simulation (GCCII) as shown in fig.6 is proposed.

The circuit uses a analog multiplexer IC-4502 which through logic 0 or 1 at control
terminal C gives CCII+ or CCII- respectively.

Current Conveyor Simulation Circuits Using Operational Amplifiers

yo

R1

V1 A

O.A.
-

R1

R
ox

V2 B

129

R1

O.A.
-

R
oz

O.A.
+
R1

+
O.A.
-

oC
+Vcc
9 10 16

E
- o
V

12

14

13

7
8

Fig.6 : A GCCII Circuit.

130

S. Rana and K. Pal

3. Experimental Results
All these circuits were tested for a.c. input at 1KHz as an amplifier configuration
shown in fig.7. The voltage gain

V0
is given as
Vi

V0
R
= 2
Vi
R1
where + sign stand for CCII (+) and sign stand for CC (-).
Choosing R1 = 10K and R2 = 10K , 20K, 30K, 100K,
The circuit were tested for different gain and experimental results were found in good
agreement with the theory. In another experiment the circuit of DOCCII was tested as
amplifier configuration with resistance 10K at x w.r.t. ground and resistances of 20K
at z and 10K at z terminal w.r.t. ground. The waveforms for an input of 100mv at
1KHz and output for a gain of 2.0 and 1.0 are shown in fig.8. The voltage waveform at
terminal z has a gain of 2.0 and is in phase with voltage at x , while same at z is out of
phase and has unity gain as designed. In the realisation of CCII+ and DOCCII the IC-741
were used and value of resistances R= 1.0K and R1 =10K .

Vi

CCII(+)

V0

R1

Fig.7. An amplifier circuit using CCII

R2

Current Conveyor Simulation Circuits Using Operational Amplifiers

131

Fig. 8. Input and output waveforms of DOCCII.

Using CCII simulated circuit of fig.1 the all pass filter circuits of Khan &
Maheshwari [17] and Pal [18] were tested and result were found very satisfactory.

4. Conclusions
A circuit simulating a second generation current conveyor (CCII) is reported.
The circuit uses four operational amplifier and gives low tracking error. This circuit
realises both positive and negative polarity second generation current conveyor. Based on
this circuit a simulation circuit for dual output current conveyor (DOCCII) is also
described. Finally a generalized CCII circuit is proposed which by control of logic 0 or 1
at a control terminal of analog multiplexer gives CCII+ or CCII- simulation These
simulations are used in verifying the CCII and DOCCII based circuits experimentally,
and are economical.

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S. Rana and K. Pal

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